Officers fatally shoot pursuit suspect in Covina after suspect fired shots at tow truck driver

An allegedly armed pursuit suspect was fatally shot by California Highway Patrol officers early Friday morning, at the end of the pursuit at a gas station in Covina.

Around 3 a.m., the CHP received a call about a fight on the 210 Freeway near the Grand Avenue exit in Glendora. When officers arrived, they found a tow truck driver who had been attacked.

The CHP said the tow truck driver was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The suspect had fled the scene before officers arrived, but the CHP said, due to its holiday enforcement period, extra patrols spotted the suspect within minutes.

Officers initiated a small pursuit, which ended at a gas station on Arrow Highway in Covina. The CHP said there was a confrontation between the officers and the suspect. The CHP said the man allegedly exited his car with a gun in his hand. An officer-involved shooting took place and the man was struck by gunfire.

"I thought it was fireworks; just thought it was the neighbors, but when I heard, 'bum, bum, bum,' I realized it wasn't fireworks," said Luz Cortes, who lives near the gas station. "I called my son; he said, ' Don't go out; that's gunshots and it could be close."

He was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The tow truck company the victim worked for posted a message on social media saying, "Right now, our hearts are with our employee, their family, our team and everyone affected. We asked that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time."

Investigators said they did recover the suspect's gun at the scene.

The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig Alert on the freeway west of Grand Avenue. The eastbound 210 Freeway in Azusa was closed Friday morning for an investigation and fully reopened before 1 p.m.